Something that existed for nearly 40 years in Edmond, Okla., before Route 66 was established is still standing today -- the 1889 Territorial School House, which is believed to be the first schoolhouse built and opened after the Oklahoma Land Run. Paul Sanders' family was the longtime owner of the building, which was used as … Continue reading Schoolhouse predates the road
Category: Preservation
Reimagining the Route
This is a well-done video about Route 66 from the Center for Creative Land Recycling. It explains how the Mother Road -- especially in the desert Southwest -- is being revitalized with brownfields remediation, alternative energy, outdoor recreation and historical tourism.
Worth watching
The St. Louis Business Journal is reporting that U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan of Missouri is planning Tuesday to introduce a bill to Congress that would provide 20 percent federal tax credits to help rehabilitate historic structures. The Journal reports that Carnahan wants to model the program after Missouri's much-praised program that provides rehabilitation tax credits … Continue reading Worth watching
More details on Twin Arrows restoration
In the past few weeks, some encouraging signs were seen regarding the long-deteriorating Twin Arrows complex east of Flagstaff, Ariz. The two giant arrows were fully restored (seen above) after years of decline, and a volunteer work crew helped tidy up the property during the Route 66 Festival a few days later. Now, it appears … Continue reading More details on Twin Arrows restoration
National Park Service launches Route 66 site
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is already under the auspices of the National Park Service. But the NPS recently launched a Route 66 "Discover Our Shared Heritage" travel itinerary site that should prove useful to novice travelers and be informative to researchers. Funded in part by American Express and the World Monuments Fund, the … Continue reading National Park Service launches Route 66 site
Mother Road Monument edges closer to reality
About a week ago, an article hinted that the proposed Mother Road National Monument in California's Mojave Desert was looking more likely. On Tuesday, the Press-Enterprise reports that the monument appeared to be "gaining momentum." Part of the reason was because a proposed solar-power plant in the desert had been scrapped and another said it … Continue reading Mother Road Monument edges closer to reality
Wagon Wheel Motel gets a new owner
The Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., an architecturally significant motel which has continuously operated on Route 66 since 1934, has a new owner. Connie Echols, who owns The Wildflower florist and gift shop on Route 66 in Cuba, took possession of the motel Tuesday from the heirs of longtime owners Pauline and Harold Armstrong. … Continue reading Wagon Wheel Motel gets a new owner
Governor opposes Mojave monument plan
A proposal to create a Mother Road National Monument across California's Mojave Desert has encountered opposition from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office, reported the Inland Press-Enterprise. The article says the governor opposes the project because it would halt solar-energy projects there. However, it's reported that Sen. Diane Feinstein is working on a scaled-down compromise. At issue … Continue reading Governor opposes Mojave monument plan
Historic Mayo Hotel reopens in Tulsa
The iconic Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa, which had been shuttered for almost 30 years, held a limited "soft" opening Monday, reported the Tulsa World. The Mayo, at 115 W. Fifth St., is about two blocks from the downtown Route 66 alignment of Seventh Street. The Mayo dates to the 1920s, is listed on the … Continue reading Historic Mayo Hotel reopens in Tulsa
Partridge Creek alignment may be developed
Arizona Route 66 aficionado Jeff Jensen noticed that a semi-obscure alignment of old Route 66 east of the Crookton Road exit of Interstate 40, west of Ash Fork, suddenly had recently sprouted a bunch of "for sale" signs. This is what is called the Partridge Creek section of Route 66. Swa Frantzen's Historic66.com site provides … Continue reading Partridge Creek alignment may be developed